Is NCU inferior to Capella or Walden?

I have a feeling that this will be the same question you all have answered too many times and I'm sorry if I'm driving it into the ground! I've read some other threads and I'm still wondering. Thanks for your patience. Thanks for the couple of people that have already given me info.

Is NCU OK? It's not lame, right? I want to start a second masters or doctorate at NCU but I need to be reassured that it is OK. I'm not asking for career counseling, just for an OK on NCU. I like the format of NCU better than Capella and Walden but I don't want to be sorry for what I have done. (That happens to me too much, anyway)

Thanks for your indulgence! Dale

 

I guess that one right answer is the following:

If you're going to get a second masters you're better off going to a school with better name recognition that has a program you're looking for. There are plenty of state schools and higher end academies that offer distance masters degrees now, there's no reason to go with a purely online school.

If you're comparing online doctorates, one regionally accredited online doctorate is as good as any other. Just don't expect that you'll be doing research or teaching at anything more than a community college with it. If you're doing it for personal fulfillment or some government, secondary teaching or corporate reason.. no harm in any of them.

Al

 

There is no reason to believe that Capella is better than NCU but only more expensive. Capella is charging more because they have some name in the market compared to NCU.

 

ITJD and RFValve you have helped me tremendously. Thank you.

 

They are both regionally accredited....who cares. I currently support staff who choose either option.

 

I've already given you my take on NCU on your other thread so I won't belabor the point here. I'll be happy to PM with you and give you any info you desire. I am really enjoying it. It's really tough, and that's a good thing.

 

OK, maybe I'll belabor the point...just a little. Just to let you know about the workload. The class I am currently in, this is one class mind you, requires 8 research papers to be written, all 7 - 10 pages or more. I have done a lot of graduate work and have never had that many research papers for only one class. It's a 10 week class so that's almost a paper a week. But I'm not complaining, I've learned to expect a higher workload in DL; it seems that every one of my DL calsses has required more reading and more writing than a comparable B&M course. At least, that's my experience. So be prepared to work!

 

A paper a week seems like a lot. Maybe more than I would consider effective from a learning perspective, I mean not that I don't respect the effort and skill involved, but...why? Not "because I want the degree, silly" why? but in what real-world workplace will you have to do this? What transportable skill does it give you? Is it satisfying? I'm sincerely curious. Is there any other evaluation?

Phillip

 

There are masters level courses in business that operate on the case model that require a paper a week in the 3-5 page range. The doctoral program that has a paper a week in the 7-10 page range is a natural progression. It's not "a lot" or unexpected in a rigorous program.

The idea is that to be a master of your discipline requires the ability to take information from different sources and bring them together in such a way as to provide a complete view that allows decisions to be made in synergy that would not be able to be made with any one source of information.

It's good practice really. (and yes, I'm getting my ass kicked by one such course in marketing, but I have to admit, the rigor is ensuring I get value out of the material, even if I'm regularly missing deadlines.)

 

It does seem insane, doesn't it? But when you think about it, it makes a lot of sense. I'll soon have to begin writing a dissertation that could be anywhere from (I'm guessing) 250 to 500 pages long. Classes like this are designed to develop your writing skills and, quite honestly, the speed at which you can produce scholarly work. I appreciate it, because, if I can't make it in this class, I'll never make through the dis. So, yea it hurts, but it's necessary. I may be a sadist, but I'm enjoying the challenge.

 

Walden is far superior to NCU. So is Capella. But not for the reasons you think.

Other than in psychology, I doubt any of these schools preponderates as far as the value of their degrees go. I suspect that the vast majority of employers won't make distinctions between them. But the learning experience? Radically different. Capella and Walden both require residencies in order to complete their doctoral degrees. Residencies are wonderful opportunities to meet one's community. Also, one can spend several days immersing one's self in one's studies, away from the demands of family and work. Immeasurable, truly.

 

Yea, I'm feeling a little kicked in the posterior, too. But like you said, I'm getting a lot out of it.

 

I hate these types of discussions...is school X better than school Y. I hate them because very few, if any people, can state with authority that this school is better than that school. The school "fit" is what is best for you.

I believe Rich is correct with his comparison between Capella, Walden, and NCU. I chose Capella because I wanted residency. I found the 3 residencies full or rigor, great ideas, and networking opportunities with faculty and other doctoral learners. Walden has residency requirements also, but I believe Walden's residencies at the time of my decision were longer than Capella's, and that was a turn off for me. Perhaps you don't want a residency, or that the work schedule doesn't permit it. Then maybe NCU is the best fit.

I would gather information on all three choices and make the choice on those criteria.

Shawn

 

That's a good point, Rich, and something one should consider. I'm happy that NCU does not have residencies, but I'm sure there is an academic cost for missing the them. Hopefully it can be made up for in other ways. One of which would be actively working in the field you are studying. Also, some personalities would get more out of them than others. I have never enjoyed or benefited much from the few professional conferences I have attended, but I could well be an exception.

 

I do know that several people from Capella and Walden have obtained tenure track positions with their degrees. I don't know anyone from NCU that has obtained a tenure track position with their doctoral degree. In addition, NCU has had a history of problems with their accrediting agency; these problems include not only financial issues but also the quality of their dissertations. NCU's accrediting agency has placed them on a short leach with only a three year span for their accreditation and with reporting requirements. On the other hand, Capella and Walden receive the highest time span of 10 years with no conditions.

 

Why are they far superior ? Is the residencies the big deal breaking and the make of good/bad?

You say - "Also, one can spend several days immersing one's self in one's studies, away from the demands of family and work" but how can you be sure it is a good thing? How about if I am forced to do this residency and all I can think about is what I am missing at work/home? What about immersing your self in your studies for 12 hours a day when you are at home - in the comfort of your own home? Don't you see that as possible? You make a comment like, "Walden is far superior to NCU" - where is the data? Measure it-

 

Yes. They are all non-traditional and suffer the negative connotations of being so, but Walden and Capella have been around for awhile and have built something of a track record. They seem a little more stable, a little more substantial - at least to me.

 

Measuring it would be fairly easy...It would be the outcomes of doctoral graduates from the universities in question. The problem some people may not want to accept the criteria or will debate what exactly a positive outcome is.

 

If it is, then my current program must suck because there are no residencies!

While the my current program is not a true DL program, I am taking all of the required courses via DL and plan to work from home as much as possible on the dissertation.

To be honest, I think a residency would be great to meet some of the faculty to help with finding a dissertation advisor, but one can do that on their own. I made an appointment to meet with a potential dissertation advisor for next week. It will be a face-to-face meeting that will hopefully lead to further research towards a dissertation topic.

 

Um. Answer to your direct question is already in the thread, from the person you're asking the question of, a few posts higher and likely the reason you chose to post the interrogative in the first place?

Just sayin'